A FAMOUS nature reserve could be under threat if development plans go ahead, fear locals.

Lenzie Rugby Football Club wants to develop land that borders Lenzie Moss.

The Herald understands the proposal is to rezone land at the club for housing, relocate the existing clubhouse and redevelop and improve playing pitches.

The plans also include improving the junction at Myrtle Avenue and Moss Road, and possibly providing parking and pick-up and drop-off points for Lenzie Moss Primary School.

But concerns have been raised that the proposals will impact on the local nature reserve and Lenzie Moss Primary.

Lenzie resident Mike Haseler said: “It seems to me that the access road to this development will be through the school playground and the teachers’ car park.

“Lenzie Moss is a unique asset and people go there for peace and tranquillity. Any development will destroy the place.”

Lenzie Rugby Football Club has made the proposal as part of the 2016 Local Development Plan.

The Friends of Lenzie Moss is a group of enthusiasts dedicated to conserving the Moss.

Donald Brodie, president of Lenzie Rugby Football Club, said they would not be making any comment until they had spoken to members at the club’s AGM later this week.

Thomas Glen, head of development and enterprise at East Dunbartonshire Council, said the Local Plan gives very strong protection to greenbelt land and wildlife sites.

He continued: “As required by the Scottish Government, initial work has begun on a replacement plan.

“A Main Issues Report (MIR) for the new Local Development Plan is in preparation to progress this and is being widely publicised.

“Through this process, developers, land owners, including the rugby club, local organisations and members of the community have been submitting ideas about how they think the new plan should allocate land to meet the future development needs of East Dunbartonshire’s communities.”

He added: “This is, however, a very early stage in the process and the council has yet to consider and consult on its preferred strategy based on feedback from the initial consultation phase.”

The next phase of the consultation process is scheduled for September.